Lancashire County Council urges people to check if NoWcard needs renewal

People who have a NoWcard transport smart card are being asked to check whether it needs to be renewed by Friday 31 March.

The NoWcard is the concessionary bus pass issued by Lancashire County Council and a number of neighbouring councils which allows free off-peak travel on local bus services throughout England including Preston.

The cards need to be renewed every five years, with many of them now coming up for renewal due to 2023 being the 15th anniversary of the start of the scheme when most of them were issued.

Passes have been renewed automatically for older people who have used their pass in the last 12 months.

County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “If you’ve got a NoWcard please check whether it’s coming up for renewal at the end of March.

“You’re only entitled to free travel if your pass is in date, and we don’t want anyone to only find out that theirs has expired when they’re trying to get on the bus.

“If you’ve got a friend or relative who’s a NoWcard holder please also remind them to check their pass.”

Disabled pass holders have been sent renewal forms as they will be required to provide proof of their ongoing disability and at this time the online portal does not support this function.

Passholders who have not used their card recently will need to renew it and should visit the NoWcard website to renew online or call the NoWcard Helpline on 0300 123 6737.